Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 829.7	$ 877.0	$ 874.0	$ 809.7	$ 848.8	$ 895.3	$ 855.8	$ 759.5	$ 3,390.4	$ 3,359.4	$ 3,183.9
Cost of goods sold	562.8	587.0	590.9	557.9	573.5	599.1	563.3	514.5	2,298.6	2,250.4	2,113.4
Gross profit	266.9	290.0	283.1	251.8	275.3	296.2	292.5	245.0	1,091.8	1,109.0	1,070.5
Selling & administrative expenses	155.0	159.0	156.4	146.8	149.2	153.4	148.8	140.2	617.2	591.6	562.9
Net income	62.7	74.7	81.3	63.4	80.6	90.5	90.8	65.3	282.1	327.2	329.8
Net Income attributable to Hubbell	$ 61.5	$ 73.3	$ 80.1	$ 62.4	$ 81.3	$ 89.6	$ 90.2	$ 64.2	$ 277.3	$ 325.3	$ 326.5
Earning Per Share - Basic (USD per share)	$ 1.06	$ 1.27	$ 1.39	$ 1.07	$ 1.39	$ 1.52	$ 1.53	$ 1.08	$ 4.79	$ 5.51	$ 5.51
Earning Per Share - Diluted (USD per share)	$ 1.06	$ 1.27	$ 1.37	$ 1.07	$ 1.38	$ 1.51	$ 1.51	$ 1.08	$ 4.77	$ 5.48	$ 5.47
Scenario, Previously Reported
Error Corrections and Prior Period Adjustments Restatement [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold		$ 585.9	$ 589.9	$ 557.0
Gross profit		291.1	284.1	252.7
Selling & administrative expenses		$ 160.1	$ 157.4	$ 147.7